The Edinburgh Blog

Skippers Seafood Bistro at Leith’s Dock Place is one of the Edinburgh Blog’s favourite lunch destinations. The restaurant is one of Edinburgh’s most pleasant. It has a terrifically atmospheric main restaurant, complemented by a light and airy conservatory which leads to an outdoor seating area. When the sun is shining there are few better places for lunch than Skippers, especially if you find a seat in their conservatory. The lunch menu offers 2 courses for £12.95, or 3 for £15.95. Pleasingly Skippers also offer 2 starters for £8.95, which is a lead I wish more restaurants would follow.

The assortment of beers on offer at Skippers is something to behold, with an especially strong assortment of Scottish brands. My tipple was a bottle of “Schiehallion Lager Beer”. At £4.45 for 500ml it’s hardly a bargain, but the lager itself is one of my favourites. Our starters of smoked salmon and crab cannelloni, and salmon and smoked haddock fishcakes were everything we have come to expect from Skippers: simple food, prepared well and made with quality ingredients.

The fish pie for main is somewhat daunting in size. My fear was this would be heavy on potato topping and light on fish. I should have known better, as inside the pie was a dazzling assortment of every fish in the fridge; salmon, mussels and much more of which I could only speculate the identity. All in all a terrific fish pie, but not a dish for anyone seeking a “light lunch”. After being introduced to pollock at Glasgow’s The Butterfly and The Pig I’m a convert. The fish was absolutely delicious, as were the home-made chunky chips. This was served with crushed garden peas, which were a delightful touch - although a greater quantity of these would have been welcomed.

The desserts at Skippers are in keeping with the quality of their starters and mains, so it was no surprise our lemon glazed tart was soon demolished. Skippers also offer their full dinner menu at lunchtime which includes seafood platters (£21.95 or £31.95), sea bream and king scallops. There’s Aberdeen Angus steak for those less enthusiastic about fish.

Overall Skippers is one of Leith’s longest running seafood bistros, which still offers fresh and consistently very good seafood. This all takes place in a lovely location and premises. With the opening of Chop Chop and an “upmarket” Khushi’s soon to open in the Commercial Quay area, this area of Leith is experiencing somewhat of a boom. Skippers will easily hold its own. Recommended.

Skippers seafood bistro is located at 1A Dock Place, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6LU
Telephone: 2021 554 2021